Motor install project a disaster

DruzeTito · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 03:48 PM

I'll get right to the point of where the problem is. I had my southernmost sat AMC 5. I usals to G10R, no signal. Signal fixed by moving the Dish Elevation lower. I knew that my pole was not plumb. And that is the whole problem. I cannot get my pole plumb at all. The immense weight of the motor (SG2100) and dish (90 cm) shifts it around. Basically I put the standard pole on my roof but I think only ONE screw out of FOUR hit wood. It was horrendously ridiculous that i even went on to put the motor and dish that way. The pole was only the pole and i didn't put those "helper arms" on because I didn't think it was possible. Now my question is does anyone have any idea how to make sure i will hit WOOD on my roof without making holes all over the place? I must of lost 2 tons of sweat during this whole install process because its not easy being on the roof of a two story house on a sunny day in Florida! I have no problem with that but when I can't fix something, that seriously gets on my nerves. If anyone could give me some advice, or input, I would surely appreciate it.

pmb1010 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 06:47 PM

Can you get into your attic (right below the dish mount)?

If you can, see where your screws came thru the roof (from underneath) you can add cross pieces of wood between the roof rafters. Make an "H" by installing a 16 inch by 8 inch piece (whatever your roof rafter thickness is) between the rafters. Nail it in tight.

Now you know you'll be hitting wood with the dish mount.

bobkat · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 06:56 PM

Hi Druzey:

Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. Roof mounts are not an easy installation - with a motor they are even harder to do. I remember in your other post you asking about roof mounts but I did not know you wanted to install a motor - I would have advised against roof mounts in this situation. However, having said that, there is still hope. Forget the standard pole. With the swing of the motor the dish is likely to bottom out at some point and hit the roof deck. You were right not to use the "stabilizer bars" as the dish would hit those too when it turns.

Go to Radio Shack and buy a tripod and mast. A 5 footer will do. They are intended for use with a TV antenna but work fine for satellite dishes. Screw the 3 tripod "feet" onto the roof (try to hit the rafters - put lots of silicone caulking around the screw holes). Assemble the mast into the tripod and use a level to plumb it in all 4 directions -- a perfectly plumb mast is crucial when using a motorized dish. Then mount the motor clamps onto the mast and proceed to align the dish.

This will solve the problem of a wobbly motor/dish assembly and also prevent the dish from hitting the roof as it moves.

Good Luck... :wink:

kat

DruzeTito · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the help.

The screws were pretty small and I doubt that they even penetrated into the attic area. But I might be wrong.

Bobkat:

I put the pole right at the edge of my roof and the dish did not even come close to hitting the roof full west and full east. About the tripods, I don't know, can they take the weight of the motor/dish and high winds? And do I need to use the pole I have for them?

And how bout those devices that find wood through walls and stuff? Would those pass through shingles?

bobkat · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2004, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

And how bout those devices that find wood through walls and stuff? Would those pass through shingles?

You can simply take a hammer and tap the roof deck - it will sound "hollow" until you hit a rafter and then it will sound "tighter" when you are directly over a rafter.

If your dish does not hit the roof deck then maybe it will be OK. But you still should use the "stabilizer bars" if you use the standard dish pole. Again, make sure the dish doesn't touch the bars as it moves.

If you go with the tripod and mast then yes, it will easily hold the weight of the motor and dish. It is designed to hold huge off-air antennae and rotors that weigh much more than a dish and motor.

kat

DruzeTito · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2004, 06:34 PM

Ok so I will go buy the tower and mast. Now, if you guys can tell me what to do with those 4 open see through holes in my roof. lol.

pmb1010 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2004, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

Ok so I will go buy the tower and mast. Now, if you guys can tell me what to do with those 4 open see through holes in my roof. lol.

This?

http://www.interstateproducts.com/aero_roof_patch.htm

DruzeTito · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 02:05 AM

4 cans for 99 dollars??? I'd rather use tape.

pmb1010 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

4 cans for 99 dollars??? I'd rather use tape.

Of course I posted the link as joke...

that's funny... I never looked at the price, only did google search on roof patch, that was the 1st entry.

I really need to get into roof patch sales if that's the profit level I think it is!

bobkat · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2004, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

Ok so I will go buy the tower and mast. Now, if you guys can tell me what to do with those 4 open see through holes in my roof. lol.

Not tower -- :shock: Tripod !!! Ask for a tower and you'll get something totally different...

Just take a glob of clear silicone caulk and jamb it in the holes.

kat

DruzeTito · #11 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 10:15 PM

Alright well just to give you guys an update, I bought the tripod and mast from radioshack for a combined 40 dollars. The tripod is great. Right now temporarily the dish is on the surface and I am suprised the amount of Sats I can recieve even if im on the ground. I guess its great to be in Florida because of the high elevation of the dish. I though trees would be in the way. But I think G10R is not picking up because of trees. One thing though is that the 5 foot mast from radioshack is a bit thin for the maximum tightening limit on the SG2100. The screws go so in that there is no more thread left to tighten it. And now this is my problem but I will be working on it.

As for placing the pod on my roof well, I will wait until my dad comes so we can both do it because he knows a lot more about DIY than i do. Thanks for helping guys.

bobkat · #12 (**permalink**) 10-06-2004, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

One thing though is that the 5 foot mast from radioshack is a bit thin for the maximum tightening limit on the SG2100. The screws go so in that there is no more thread left to tighten it. And now this is my problem but I will be working on it.

An easy fix for that is to wrap the mast with some thick rubber matting to "build out" the diameter of the mast. Even an old pair of rubber boots cut into a patch then wrapped around the mast -- tacky but effective.

kat

DruzeTito · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 01:10 AM

But wouldn't that be too soft for tightening?

bobkat · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 09:25 AM

No. The teeth on the motor bracket clamp will bite right through the rubber or at least grip it well enough to secure it all nice and snug.

kat

pmb1010 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

One thing though is that the 5 foot mast from radioshack is a bit thin for the maximum tightening limit on the SG2100. The screws go so in that there is no more thread left to tighten it. And now this is my problem but I will be working on it.

Check what the Tripod will accept insofar as diameter (how big can the the pipe be that it will take?). You might be better off by getting some EMT (eletrical metal tubing) of a larger diameter than that mast that Radio shack sells. The specs on the SG2100 call for support mast to be between 35 and 65mm. The RS mast is 1.25" (or 31.75mm) which I think is too small for the application.

Since the diameter (I have some 2" stuff) is so much greater it will be less prone to bend than that small mast. Its galvanized so it wont rust and is lightweight. Check under "Electrical Supply" in the yellow pages. Comes in 10 ft lengths. Just saw it with hacksaw if it's too long.

I'd take back the RS mast and get some bigger diameter stuff. You'll like the fit better on the motor than tape or rubber IMHO.

Heres a link with some generic info:
http://www.ecmweb.com/mag/electric_b...steel_conduit/

PS - NEVER use black pipe as a mast.

DruzeTito · #16 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 04:49 PM

Well I was also thinking of putting some bigger than usual hex nuts onto the u bolts first, and putting a few to extend out to the thread, the nut that i actually tighten will make contact with them and then the rest will tighten to the mast.

pmb1010 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 06:37 PM

I can't say I've never done stuff like that :roll: , bottom line is if you're happy with the setup and it's functional & reliable then that's great.

Don't forget having a dish is the air is like holding a garbage can outside a car window at 40mph (assuming a 40mph wind...)
The nuts jammed against the mast pipe must hold the motor from twisting. I'm not sure where you are, but the last thing I want to do is fool with the dish setup when it's 10 degrees out in a few months...

Good luck.

Post a link to a JPEG of your finished setup if you can.

bobkat · #18 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 06:59 PM

Yeah, actually pmb might be right on this one. Go to Home Depot and buy a length of galvanized electrical conduit of a larger diameter than the RS mast. The tripod screws should adjust far enough to accomodate a larger diameter pipe. I haven't put up a tripod in some time but I remember the screw adjustments being pretty large. To minimize wind load on the tripod keep the pipe as short as possible.

kat